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House Agriculture Committee adopts proxy rules, hears agency briefings and sets amendment guidance
Summary
The committee voted to allow proxies (to be held by vice chairs), heard introductions from Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock staff, and established amendment drafting expectations for members.
The House Agriculture Committee approved proxy voting procedures and discussed internal logistics, then received briefings from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock.
By voice vote the committee accepted the use of proxies. A subsequent motion specifying that proxies be held by the vice chairs (with the option to pass a proxy to another committee member) also passed. Chair asked members to complete proxy forms promptly.
Department of Agriculture Ag Sciences Division Administrator Ian Foley highlighted several program updates: a 12‑member AmeriCorps 'Ag Core' cohort that worked this summer on statewide noxious weed and farm‑to‑table projects; a finalized update to pesticide licensing mechanics affecting more than 10,000 applicators; and a hemp program supported with $250,000 in general fund money that currently covers just under 20 growers and about 10,000 acres focused on grain and fiber hemp. Foley emphasized that the department is focused on grain and fiber hemp, not intoxicating cannabinoid products.
Department of Livestock executive officer Mike Honeycutt introduced staff and described mission areas including the Livestock Loss Board (compensation and mitigation grants), predator-control programs (including cooperative aerial operations), animal disease surveillance and a planned veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Bozeman. Honeycutt described the new lab as a roughly $50,000,000 project expected to open in 2026 and said it will replace a 60‑year‑old facility and serve producers with advanced testing capacity.
Committee staff research analyst Laura Shirley described amendment drafting logistics and asked members to request amendments 24 hours before proposing them so drafts can be prepared and reviewed. Clerk Emma Bauer summarized administrative tasks including scheduling, minutes and committee snack donations (a suggested contribution of $25 per member for twice-weekly committees). The committee discussed media seating and a reminder not to name private businesses on the record.
The committee ended the meeting with announcements about stakeholder dinners and adjourned.
