Transcript Highlights:

• I've just received a quote for a food truck. We want to open up the youth farm cafe.
• So for us, it's not just about growing the... ...it's not just about growing the food.
• So cooking flavorful food. So yes, that's the path.
• I said, I don't grow food. I don't have a green thumb.
• I don't watch YouTube videos about how to grow food.

Bills: S0534, S7020

Keywords: food insecurity, hunger, college students, nutrition assistance, pilot program, open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption

Summary: The committee met, called the roll, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. It first considered the appointment of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. No appearance forms were requested, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Trunow explained that the exemption protects shellfish and submerged land lease records, supports compliance with federal partners and statutory requirements, and helps protect marketplace competition. A representative from the Department appeared in support, and the bill was moved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, Senator Bernard’s hunger-free campus pilot program bill. He described a pilot within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to identify campuses with high numbers of Pell-eligible students, develop a survey with the Hunger Task Force, designate staff to help students enroll in SNAP, expand campus food access, and require reporting on outcomes and future funding. The bill had one appearance form in support and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also received a presentation from the St. Pete Youth Farm, led by Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors. They described the farm as a youth-led community project on city-owned land that addresses food insecurity while providing leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness programming, composting, aquaponics, and community events. Senators praised the program, asked about possible expansion into a culinary kitchen and partnerships with schools, and the presenters said they hope to expand youth opportunities, food preparation training, and related programming. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• risk for food insecurity. risk for food insecurity.
• insecurity, food security a lot.
• > community Food insecurity touches every community Food insecurity touches every community across
• to min motans who are experiencing food to min motans who are experiencing food insecurity<01:48
• Food insecurity is a major issue.

Bills: HF45, HF1148, HF3624, HF3586, HF777

Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals

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.
• We are one of the largest food banks in the country, and with food shelf visits across Minnesota having
• 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:

• of defense against food insecurity remains stable.
• of defense against food insecurity remains stable.
• As it was mentioned, a recent study showed that one in three households are food insecure, including
• We know one in three Hawaii residents remain food insecure, and our state has set goals to double our
• <00:26:15.440> insecure Hawaii residents remain food insecure Hawaii residents remain food

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1737, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

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:

• Line 218 is for the local food purchasing assistance program.
• 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.
• It creates a local food purchasing grant 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:

• Food Shelf and you know food insecurity Food Shelf and you know food insecurity and<00:36:58.720>
• Um, food shelves, food pantries, and food distribution programs serve Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity
• Um, food shelves, food pantries, and food distribution programs serve Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity
• Um, food shelves, food pantries, and food distribution programs serve Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity
• I mean, in Minnesota, food insecurity.

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:

• The other is food insecure.
• The other is food over the age of of 60. The other is food insecure. insecure. insecure.
• <00:58:34.000> insecurity, related to food insecurity, related to food insecurity, homelessness
• c> folks grants for food insecurity for the folks grants for food insecurity for the folks that<01
• veterans food insecurity would expire. veterans food insecurity would expire.

Bills: HF3919, HF3467, HF3741

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for the administration of food insecurity screenings to public school students.
• So the purpose of this bill, members, is to require our public schools to administer food insecurity
• And they're going to now add some questions regarding food insecurity.
• And they're going to now add some questions regarding food insecurity.
• Food insecurity, meaning if a child does not have what they need?

Bills: HCR14, HB201, HB218, HB352, HB626, HB636, HB738, HB749

Keywords: Department of Education, federal overreach, education policy, Tenth Amendment, local control, fine arts, high school diploma, arts education, capstone project, academic achievement, student recognition, Louisiana education, food insecurity, hunger, student hunger, school meals, free lunch, community eligibility provision, McKinney-Vento, homeless students

Summary: The committee first took up HB 636 by Rep. LaFleur, a hazing-prevention bill for public postsecondary institutions. After adopting a chairman’s amendment set that shifted implementation to management boards with the Board of Regents, allowed standardized reporting forms, and added a lifetime ban on re-chartering for organizations involved in a hazing death, the committee heard emotional testimony from Caleb Wilson’s mother and from Jason Hughes, who chaired the task force that developed the bill. Members from both parties expressed support, and HB 636 was reported as amended and renamed the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act. The committee then heard HB 218, also by Rep. LaFleur, requiring public schools to administer food insecurity screenings using an existing McKinney-Vento-based process with added questions. Witnesses from the Department of Education and charter schools explained the screening questions and said the process would help identify students in need without violating confidentiality, while a faith-community witness urged schools to partner with churches and charities. Concerns were raised about privacy and whether schools already had authority to help hungry students, but the bill was reported with amendments. The committee also approved HB 626 by Rep. Jordan, which would require colleges and universities to provide suicide-prevention information, hotline access, and aggregated reporting on suicide risk; the Board of Regents said most campuses already use 988 or telehealth services and could comply without major new costs, and the bill was reported favorably. Next, HB 749 by Rep. Carver was considered to modernize the state’s college savings and ABLE programs by moving administration to a third-party manager and improving online access and security. Treasury and Board of Regents staff said the state would retain oversight, that ABLE accounts would not be charged fees, and that implementation would be supported by executive-budget funding; the bill was reported favorably. HB 352 by Rep. Mack, a cleanup bill on behavioral health services in schools, drew testimony from parents, ABA providers, and teacher representatives. Supporters said some districts were still blocking medically necessary services in classrooms, while educators asked for clearer pre-conference expectations to avoid disruption; after amendment, the bill was reported with amendments. The committee also approved HB 201 creating a state seal of fine arts and HB 738 revising student disciplinary proceedings at colleges and universities, and it began discussion of HCR 14, which supports federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

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>

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<00:07:50.000
• 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
• We've increased funding for veteran food insecurity through the veterans meals on wheels and through
• 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:

• But I love seeing the rainbow of food that's at the salad bar and knowing that food from farmers right
• co-ops a restaurant program local food co-ops a restaurant food<00:34:10.599> shelves<00:34:11.159
• knowing that food from Farmers right knowing that food from Farmers right around<00:37:17.920>
• <00:42:04.040> we've<00:42:04.280> even Foods we've even Foods we've even confirmed<00:
• eggs that they had gotten off the food eggs that they had gotten off the food service<00:43:23.720

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

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:

• So in this state, we started the food excise tax credit many years ago.
• As we know, even one week without food stamps, or SNAP, would mean no food in the house and really would
• not being able to afford to buy food not being able to afford to buy food because<00:35:03.520><
• <00:35:31.280> in Hawaii Food Industry Association in Hawaii Food Industry Association in
• from Hawaii Food Bank, from Hawaii Food from Hawaii Food Bank, from Hawaii Food Policy<00:36:29.760

Bills: HB2116, HB1879, HB2214, HB2310, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB1596, HB2197, HB2498, HB2167

Keywords: grants, community engagement, nonprofit organizations, federal assistance, volunteering, youth transit, public transportation, subsidized transit, environment, energy independence, affordable transportation, Hawaii, diaper tax credit, families, low-income, childcare, health, Hawaii Department of Human Services, DHS, emergency appropriation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• The charities, a lot of them have food banks; some of them don't.
• Some of them only have dry goods and canned goods in a food bank.
• We give them $20, we get a $20 food card. You give them $50, you get a $50 food card.
• Or I've run out of food during the holidays because we only could collect so much food in our food bank
• Now she can save her money that was going to be used for food.

Bills: HR174, HR194, HCR98, SB39, SB124, SB190, SB236, SB270, SB273, SB359, SB415, SB426, SB437, SB451

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Bills: SB292, HB351, HB141, HB273, SB292, HB351, HB141, HB273

Keywords: education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, ad valorem tax, road funding, local government, referendum, Choctaw County, HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, to be able to donate part of their meal plans to a food bank so other students could use part of
• insecurity on campus, but also to actually provide benefits to those students.
• You're letting people know where their food pantries... people know where their food pantries are.
• The big thing is in order for them to have a food bank maybe on campus... have a food bank maybe on campus
• It can really produce a lot of good food in a short period of time at low cost.

Bills: HB46, HB379, SB22, HB487, HB273, HB525

Keywords: rural physician, tax credit, healthcare access, physician recruitment, Alabama, HB379, Alabama income tax, nonresident exemption, remote workers, traveling employees, mobile workforce, withholding tax, state tax reciprocity, multistate employees, temporary work, work location tracking, time and attendance system, remote work taxation, professional athlete, professional entertainer

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to have at least one secure food insecurity awareness program and a food pantry. ...insecurity
• awareness and a food pantry.

Bills: HB86, HB273, HB379, HB386, HB387, HB388, HB389, HB487, HB600, SB120, HB176

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers

Transcript Highlights:

• out to people who are using the food out to people who are using the food shelves<00:15:53.199><
• We estimate that about 15% of food-insecure individuals are unable to use raw material.
• <00:17:46.000> Uh providing food for hungry motans. Uh providing food for hungry motans.
• um other nonprofits that that have food um other nonprofits that that have food distribution<00:
• need to be um the furnishing of food need to be um the furnishing of food >> represent.

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• about the constant battle that our veterans are fighting each and every day when it comes to putting food
• the the constant battle that are veterans of fighting each and every day when it comes to putting food
• And by doing this increase in getting that this will help, These veterans may be able to put food on
• The Senate also had some concerns that the language allowing MDA to move food insecurity, homelessness

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards