Lydia Johnson

Senate Republicans are proposing changes to a key biofuel tax credit and creation of a new $25 billion fund for rural hospitals in a bid to pass their sweeping budget reconciliation bill. The 940-page One Big Beautiful Bill Act also includes some easing of new restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The California Farm Water Coalition executive director Mike Wade will step down in February. Matthew Dumlao was appointed executive officer of the California State Lands Commission. The Foundation for Fresh Produce selected Jelena Gligorijević to fill the newly-created role of chief medical officer. 

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation hired Jessica Lara as marketing and communications manager. Paul Brierley was confirmed as Arizona Director of Agriculture by the state senate. He was previously executive director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture and earlier served as a director for the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation. 

The Animal Health Institute named Gene Harrington senior director of state affairs. Bob Ellison joined Agri-Pulse as managing editor. Scott Bennett joined Ceva Animal Health in the newly created role as director of public affairs and market access.

Jay Ivey joined CropLife America as a manager of federal government relations. President Donald Trump nominated Ted Cooke to lead the Bureau of Reclamation. Margaret Fogarty and Leigh Picchetti launched a consulting firm: Corkboard Communications. Western Skies Strategies hired Jenna Stanton as interim federal policy director.

Senate GOP leaders face a self-imposed deadline to pass their budget reconciliation bill before the July 4 deadline amid ongoing opposition from some deficit hawks and a fresh hole in the budget savings claimed by the Agriculture Committee. The Supreme Court is expected to consider its decision in a key pesticide case.

Katie Hagen resigned from her role as director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Baloian Farms hired Diana Ybarra as an account manager. Teresa O'Connor is no longer with the American Farmland Trust where she served as California communications and outreach manager.

Former owner, chairman and CEO of Dole Food Co. David H. Murdock died June 9. Emily Druckman joined the office of Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., as communications director and senior adviser. Evergreen Action hired Liya Rechtman as a senior transportation policy lead. 

Faith Parum joined the American Farm Bureau Federation as an economist. Wayne Stoskopf was promoted to senior director of public policy for risk management and legislative strategy at the National Corn Growers Association. CropLife America hired Tonya Parish as senior manager of government relations communications. 

The National Corn Growers Association Corn Board elected Michigan farmer Matt Frostic as the organization's first vice president. Robin Bowen joined Elanco as director of U.S. government affairs. Sarah Dean joined PepsiCo as director of global public policy, sustainability reporting and human rights. 

Senate Republicans will try to put the final touches on their version of the One Big Beautiful Bill during a work week shortened by the Juneteenth holiday, while trade discussions are expected to be on the agenda as President Donald Trump and Treasury Scott Bessent attend the G7 meeting this week in the Canadian Rockies. 

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release the next proposed set of renewable volume obligations for fuels this morning, with briefings scheduled for Hill offices and industry leaders ahead of the official release.

Senate Republicans are out with the agriculture provisions of their budget reconciliation bill. The farm program provisions track closely with what’s in the One Big Beautiful Bill passed by the House in May, including increases in reference prices and authorization for a voluntary base update.

The Senate Agriculture Committee developed a reconciliation plan similar to the House version passed last month, but with a scaled-back state cost-share for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and less restrictive work requirements for parents of school-age kids.