Senators say Department of Agriculture bill will be low priority this session
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Summary
Senate Resources has taken up a bill to create a Department of Agriculture, but senators said it is likely to be low on the priority list this session amid larger fiscal and pipeline concerns.
Lawmakers told reporters the idea of creating a standalone Department of Agriculture will receive a hearing in Senate Resources but is likely to remain low on the list of priorities this session.
Reporter James Brooks asked legislators about prospects for a Department of Agriculture bill and the governor’s appeal of a lawsuit tied to an executive order. Senator Giesel (Speaker 8) said Senate Resources has taken over the bill from the rules committee and will hold hearings but that the pipeline and fiscal plan proposals are likely to take precedence. Another senator characterized the appeal and the bill as a poor use of state resources and said the governor is entitled to appeal a court decision.
Why it matters: Creating a new department would reassign responsibilities and potentially change how state agricultural supports are administered; however, senators said competing priorities make immediate action unlikely.
What’s next: Committee hearings are planned; sponsors and opponents will have the opportunity to present ideas and evidence to Senate Resources before any floor action.
Attribution: Reporter question and senator responses are drawn from the floor transcript.