Democratic leaders in the state Senate want to increase the role of the Agriculture Committee.
Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin has recommended that the committee meet more regularly as a sign that the Legislature is committed to addressing the challenge farmers face.
Serving on the Agriculture Committee is usually an extra duty for senators, who meet in between their other committee meetings.
Changing the schedule means Senate leaders will have to reduce the size of other committees that would meet when the Agriculture Committee does.
Democrats will hold 23 of the 30 seats in the new Senate. That means they have enough seats to make decisions about committees.