Video & Transcript Research : 'pollinators'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Pollinators, soil life, crops, insects—they're all connected.
- who are working to build pollinator who are working to build pollinator habitat<01:23:29.840>
- <01:24:04.239>
and through the lens of pollinators and through the lens of pollinators and - It's a win<01:37:25.520>
for <01:37:25.679>pollinators, <01:37:26.320>pollinator - win for pollinators, pollinator win for pollinators, pollinator dependent<01:37:27.199>
farmers
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
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I still love them because most adult wasps are pollinators, which really help us.
- My favorite insect is a bumblebee because they help pollinate and they keep us alive.
- Some pollinate crops and wild plants. They serve as a food source.
- Around three-fourths of our food depends on our pollinators.
- the adult wasps help pollinate a lot of things.
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:
- Bees are pollinators, which everyone seems to know.
- And then pollinators, if there's not enough pollinators, pollinators are responsible for about one out
- We need the bees to pollinate our fields.
- They were presenting the bill about the pollinating bees.
- They help pollinate, and I really like the flowers.
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
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Keywords:
natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition.
The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
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
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Bills:
HB1602, HB2246, HB1707, HB2216, HB2594, HB2595, HB2155, HB2113, HB2207, HB1832, HB2015, HB2152, HB2548
Keywords:
agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 12th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Pollinators are a keystone species. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members.
- As you know, this bill would establish a pollinator task force to protect pollinator health, to develop
- Other native pollinators include hummingbirds, are hyper-local,...
- Even H-E-B has sponsored the Pollinators for Texas project, aimed at protecting pollinator habitat and
- educating about the importance of pollinators.
Keywords:
outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar.
The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 12th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- As you know, this bill would establish a pollinator task force to protect pollinator health and to develop
- Um, we have some great examples of successful initiatives to improve pollinator health.
- Even HEB has sponsored the Pollinators for Texas project.
- Aimed at protecting pollinator habitat and educating about the importance of pollinators, states have
- shown us what policies may serve to protect pollinators on a larger scale.
Keywords:
outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities
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:
- It’s not just an investment in pollinator habitat.
- did three areas of native pollinator did three areas of native pollinator plantings<00:35:44.160
- <00:35:59.880>
the share my love of native pollinators the share my love of native pollinators - We need these pollinators.
- <00:50:30.720>
I this really help um our pollinators I this really help um our pollinators
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 11th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- a lot of types of pollinators.
- plan, provide pollinator protection recommendations, and create pollinator outreach materials.
- But if you also have wildflowers around you would have the ability of pollinators to be pollinating both
- He moves his bees for pollination.
- You know, the Pollinators are pollinating these plants.
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:
- My job is to support pollinators.
- My job is to support pollinators.
- ...the pesticides, I'm sorry, the pollinators.
- Next, an act to protect pollinators and public health, also known as the Pollinator Protection Act, would
- Organic systems rely on biodiversity and natural pollination from our pollinators.
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.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- You can see the crops that they are used to provide pollination services for.
- Since there wasn't large-scale production agriculture, those pollinators, bees and other pollinators,
- Since there wasn't large-scale production agriculture, those pollinators, bees and other pollinators,
- But prior to production agriculture, the pollinators that were here were sufficient to provide the pollination
- They had really no concept at the time of the importance of pollinators in general to pollination services
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida.
The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Agriculture Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- TO POLLINATE CROPS.
- SINCE THERE WAS A LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THOSE POLLINATORS BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS COULD
- PRIOR TO PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THE POLLINATORS THAT WERE HERE WERE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE THE POLLINATION
- THEY HAD NO CONCEPT AT THE TIME OF THE IMPORTANT POLLINATORS IN GENERAL TO POLLINATION SERVICES AND I
- I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THINGS POLLINATED AND GROWING.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's not a lot of data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
- It actually already has five years' worth of pollinator programming.
- So we're losing pollinators. We've lost about 80% on a national level.
- Obstacles and environmental concerns that are affecting the pollinators.
- To better inform pollinator research and needs across the state.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's not a lot of Data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
- We're losing pollinators; we've lost 80% on a national level.
- However, every climate event is disastrous for pollinators. We lose pollinators.
- And other organizations that work with pollinators.
- The pollinators.
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:
- The bill also pollinator habitat.
- pro-pollinator pro-pollinator SF2653.<01:18:02.640>
Thank <01:18:02.800>you. - I run Pollinate Minnesota. I'm on the board of the Pollinator Stewardship Council.
- Because we do rely on pollinators to help pollinate our crops.
- c> pollinate<01:48:03.679>
our pollinators to help pollinate our pollinators to help pollinate
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Agriculture and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, I started Lucille's Pollinator Project when I was 11 years old after learning that pollinators
- As I've grown older, I've wanted to make a bigger impact on our pollinators.
- I'm here to introduce these bills to bring attention to our native pollinators, pollinators such as bees
- flowers as they can to help our pollinators.
- We have a big native culture and native pollinators.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Countering Climate Change – Senator Rob Kupec May 26th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, you also put forth a bill that would establish a license plate for our solar pollinator programs.
- Obviously, we know what pollinators are, but what is a solar pollinator program, and talk to me about
- So the same idea with the pollinators is that you around you can put you can do electric cars.
- license plate for our solar pollinator license plate for our solar pollinator programs.<00:04:32.000
- , but what is a solar pollinators are, but what is a solar pollinator<00:04:35.280>
program <00