HB2238 — Speakers express support for House Bill 2238, describing it as a food security measure and praising its all-hands approach to eliminating hunger. The bill is characterized as an effective step toward ensuring that no Washingtonian goes hungry.
HB2238 — The witness expresses support for House Bill 2238, emphasizing its focus on addressing food insecurity and describing it as a coordinated, forward-looking strategy for food security in Washington.
HB2238 — The public hearing on the bill is concluded.
Kristine Reeves — Representative Reeves gives sponsor testimony on HB 2238 and shares her personal connection to food insecurity.
Kristine Reeves — Representative Reeves continues describing her lived experience with food insecurity and the importance of access to healthy meals.
Kristine Reeves — Explains that the bill would ensure year-round food security planning and argues for the Department of Agriculture to lead the work.
Kristine Reeves — Urges support for the bill and says she is happy to answer questions.
Kristine Reeves — Responds that the bill does not create new government components and does not require new hires or a new building.
Kristine Reeves — Explains that the bill codifies prior authority and cites the loss of over 3,700 farms in Washington over five years.
Kristine Reeves — Cites farm losses, school meal participation, and the number of Washingtonians using subsidy programs to explain the bill's scope.
Kristine Reeves — Continues explaining the affected populations and emphasizes lower-cost grocery access.
Kristine Reeves — Says the bill is about coordination rather than creating new programs and that it should deliver a strategy to the legislature.
Kristine Reeves — Quoted by the questioning member.
Kristine Reeves — Clarifies that the bill does not directly address farmers but creates a statewide strategy for food security.
Kristine Reeves — Explains the bill is about maximizing efficiencies and says the committee has been working with agricultural groups.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked as the prime sponsor before the public hearing opened.
Kristine Reeves — Addressed as chair when testimony timing is discussed.
Kristine Reeves — The chair is thanked for the opportunity to testify.
Kristine Reeves — The chair is addressed as Madam Chair during the transition.
Kristine Reeves — The chair is addressed in the greeting to the committee.
Kristine Reeves — Addressed as Madam Chair in the opening greeting.
Kristine Reeves — The chair manages questions and moves the hearing along.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked for work on the bill and stakeholder outreach.
Kristine Reeves — Addressed in the opening greeting.
Kristine Reeves — The witness thanks the committee leadership for consideration.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked for her work on the topic and the bill.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked for sponsoring the bill.
Kristine Reeves — Referenced as the chair thanking Erin after testimony.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked for her work on the bill.
Kristine Reeves — Thanked for her work on the bill and addressed as Chair Reeves.
Kristine Reeves — Named as the sponsor of amendment Louie 054 to House Bill 1735.
Kristine Reeves — Named as the sponsor of amendment Louie 054 to House Bill 1735.
Kristine Reeves — Votes aye on House Bill 1608.
Tom Dent — Representative Reeves addresses Ranking Member Dent at the start of her remarks.
Tom Dent — Addressed as ranking member when testimony timing is discussed.
Tom Dent — Ranking Member Dent is repeatedly acknowledged during the meeting’s opening and witness greetings, including committee transitions and the witness’s opening thanks.
Tom Dent — Tom Dent is identified multiple times as the sponsor of amendment Louie 055 to House Bill 1735.
Tom Dent — Votes nay without recommendation on House Bill 1608.
HB1987 — House Bill 1987 is referenced as the bill introduced last year to design the food security strategy, with the discussion noting that it was intended to anticipate changes under the new administration.
Stephanie McClintock — Representative Stephanie McClintock questions the bill’s purpose, cost, and scope, expressing concern that it may create a new government branch and add expenses. She follows up by asking what problem the bill is intended to solve, whether affordability and high food costs in Washington will be considered, and how food insecurity is affected by broader cost pressures such as agriculture, transportation, fuel, and the cost of doing business. The sponsor responds directly to her concerns, and later remarks reference her questions as well-founded.
Stephanie McClintock — Votes nay without recommendation.
Michael Moran — Michael Moran is called to testify on behalf of Second Harvest of Spokane and then identifies himself for the record as a longtime Olympia lobbyist who has represented Second Harvest on and off for the past 24 years.
Anna Nepa-Sin-Simon — Called up to testify for Northwest Harvest; name is uncertain due to transcription.
Mark Struly — Mark Struly is called to testify and then introduces himself on the record, explaining that he is appearing on behalf of agricultural groups, including the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the Washington Potato and Onion Association.
Colleen Donovan — Called up as a witness representing the Washington State Farmers Market Association.
Colleen Donovan — Colleen Donovan, executive director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, testifies in support of the bill, and the chair later thanks her and closes her testimony.
David Bobinick — Called up as a witness representing Harvest Against Hunger.
Brian Yambi — Identified as Council Member District 5 from Pierce County Council.
Katie Beeson — Listed on deck to testify for the Washington Food Industry Association.
Aaron Ciswiswiswiski — Listed on deck to testify for Food Lifeline; name is uncertain due to transcription.