Video & Transcript Research : 'insects'
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OK
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- across in that pollinator project, was that the European honeybee, which is not native, was our state insect
- I think we've have state insects, we have state stakes, we have state birds, and we have a lot of other
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 3rd, 2026 at 09:03 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- My favorite insect is the honeybee because they pollinate our food.
- Insects are important to our agriculture and Paula Nation.
- My favorite insect is a tarantula because I have one as a pet.
- Will you please support the Insect Education Memorial?
- Will you please support the Insect Education Memorial?
Keywords:
insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We hope you support our Insect Education Memorial because insects are very important to our lives, because
- The reason we want to protect insects is because insects have been declining, because people see them
- of assuming insects are gross.
- So insects are very important.
- With their favorite insect. Madam Chair and members of the committee, my favorite insect is a wasp.
Keywords:
wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's at Central Memorial 3, the insect workshop — the State Agency Insect Workshop.
- The insect collection... ...rooms to educate these students about insects.
- , bad insects.
- So y'all are very well-versed in what you're Well, good insects, bad insects.
- We have good insects. We have bad actor insects, don't we?
Keywords:
insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- These can be insect production facilities.
- She works on nutrition specifically for insects.
- She works on nutrition specifically for insects.
- Gamma irradiation for insect colonies or insect work up to 100 million flies per week.
- So we're looking at rearing our insects.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/13/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- Globally, insect out of mind.
- insects. Would you agree with that? insects. Would you agree with that?
- Apples depend on insect all.
- kills bees kills all the other insects. kills bees kills all the other insects.
- on pollinating insects? on pollinating insects?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Neonicotinoid insecticide and insecticide-treated seed ban 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in the brain of the insects.
- receptor in the brain of the insects. receptor in the brain of the insects.
- <00:03:56.799>
However, worked against the insects. However, worked against the insects. - Also, the all-season-long insect suppression for pesky insects like aphids and bean leaf beetles ultimately
- , pollinators, soil life, crops, insects, pollinators, soil life, crops, insects, they're<00:27:14.000
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- disastrous effects on insect disastrous effects on insect populations.<01:25:21.840>
aquatic< - <01:27:53.000>
Neonicatoids toxic to insect life. Neonicatoids toxic to insect life. - insect traps placed on my fields by St. insect traps placed on my fields by St.
- <01:32:47.360>
populations healthy and the uh insect populations healthy and the uh insect - Soybeans a little insect pollinators.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/03/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- was that this that the problem of insect was that this that the problem of insect decline<04:07:
- decline. uh and the amount of insect decline. uh and the amount of insect<04:07:27.520>
decline <04:10:33.760>- . insects. insects. uh<04:07:59.600>
and <04:08:00.000>other <04:08:00.239>types But insects in New Hampshire. But insects in New Hampshire. - . insects. insects. uh<04:07:59.600>
- some of the insect decline. some of the insect decline.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- receptor in the brain of the insects.
- receptor in the brain of the insects. receptor in the brain of the insects.
- <00:59:32.640>
However, worked against the insects. However, worked against the insects. - insect suppression for pesky insects insect suppression for pesky insects like<01:19:29.040>
- recent dramatic declines in insect recent dramatic declines in insect hatches.<01:21:28.800>
Keywords:
pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Insect populations are collapsing.
- The majority of our food crops require insects for pollination.
- We must provide the habitat these insects require to survive.
- Insect populations are collapsing.
- We must provide the habitat these insects require to survive.
Summary:
The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR/AEN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Jan 17, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:25:59.760>
diseases perceptions of insects diseases perceptions of insects diseases microorganisms - We have real good potential biocontrol wasps or insects that can control fireweed.
- We have real good potential biocontrol wasps or insects that can control fireweed.
- We currently have real good potential biocontrol wasps or insects that can control fireweed.
- We have to be much more judicious, probably just also because, you know, we have native insects that
Summary:
The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts.
Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread.
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach.
Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 11th, 2026
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And we do that with several tactics that include the sterile insect technique.
- Sterile insect technique, Sterile insect technique works because, in this case, it doesn't work in boll
- And then we maybe can apply it to other insects that are pests.
- Obviously, the end tool is the sterile insect technique.
- It could be transitioned into mosquitoes and other sterile insects.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We are experiencing massive insect losses, poisoned and degraded waters and soils, and serious human
- These spraying events are killing non-target insects, amphibians, and fish, poisoning waters and soils
- We are experiencing massive insect losses, poisoned and degraded waters and soils, and serious human
- These spraying events are killing non-target insects, amphibians, and fish, poisoning waters, and soils
- Anyone who drove a car in the '90s knows that we're losing insects.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property.
A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches.
Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and are charged by you, the legislature, with protecting Texas from invasive species and invasive insects
- In such a short period of time, this is accomplished through the sterile insect technique.
- Screwworms were successfully eradicated in 1966 using the sterile insect technique.
- And then the big cost is the expenditures for the Sterile Insect Technique.
- We could continue research there, including insect and pest research, and then if the fly...
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- As people have spoken before, the amount of insects is drastically increasing.
- have spoken before the amount of insects have spoken before the amount of insects is<00:36:41.760
- Habitat loss is one of the major drivers of insect pollinator declines.
- Habitat loss is one of the major drivers of insect pollinator declines.
- I know people have talked about how we have fewer insects; we also have fewer birds.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 11th, 2026
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- About sterile insect technique. This is how it's released.
- Tactics that include the sterile insect technique.
- And then we maybe can apply it to other insects that are pests.
- Obviously, the end tool is the sterile insect technique.
- Be transitioned into mosquitoes and other sterile insects.
Summary:
During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects.
Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars.
The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen an increase in pests, including insects, rodents, and, in one case, wild pigs living in an
- These invasive insects and pests, such as navel orange worm and carpophilus beetle, harbor in abandoned
- Invasive insects and pests such as navel orange worm and carpophilus beetle harbor in abandoned orchards
- There weren't sufficient protections for beneficial insects. Absolutely.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met with an initial quorum delay, then heard four items: AJR 6 on protecting federal funding for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care program, AB 732 on abandoned agricultural land, AB 1042 on honeybee health, and consent item AB 1506. The chair reviewed hearing procedures and public comment rules before moving through the file in order.
AJR 6, authored by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, urged federal officials to preserve funding for local food programs that connect California farmers with school meals and food banks. Supporters, including a farm owner and a school nutrition director, said the program benefits children’s nutrition, helps small farms, and strengthens local economies. There was no opposition, and the committee members who were present voted to adopt the resolution; later absent members were added, bringing it to eight votes and sending it out.
AB 732, by Assemblymember Macedo, would give county agricultural commissioners a faster enforcement tool against abandoned or neglected orchards and vineyards by allowing civil penalties instead of relying only on liens. Testimony from growers and a county agricultural commissioner described pest infestations, economic losses, and high abatement costs tied to neglected land, and the bill was presented as a response to SGMA-related fallowing and low commodity prices. The committee voted due pass to the Judiciary Committee, and after absent members were added it also reached eight votes.
AB 1042, by Assemblymember Ransom, proposed a Managed Honeybee Health Program with grants, research, technical assistance, and an expanded advisory committee to support pollinators essential to California crops. Witnesses from the fresh fruit and beekeeping sectors emphasized that bee declines threaten crop production and the broader agricultural economy. The committee voted due pass to Appropriations, and the bill ultimately received eight votes. The consent calendar item, AB 1506, was also approved and sent to Appropriations.