Transcript Highlights:

• And also the water projects that we do, that's all the water resources money comes from oil.
• So you can see what type of cases when it came to how many case loads when it came to water, fresh water
• There's a—I had water for a little while, so I know water does entail a lot of eminent domain.
• domain are related to cities, counties, and water development projects, to rural water and that type
• McLean County is within my district here in District 33, and I feel like they've done a really nice job

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4081 expands the boundaries of the East Point Water and Sewer District located in Franklin
• Water Control District, Indian River County.
• HB 4095 creates a Headwaters Water Control District as an independent special district in the county
• HB 4095 creates a Headwaters Water Control District as an independent special district in the county
• Cola, Water and Sewer District, Franklin County.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that resist heat oil grease and water that resist heat oil grease and water such<00:49:38.599><c
• This is a value used in estimating the cost... about our water our one of life's basic about our water
• EWG's tap water database shows that the water Amara grew up drinking in Woodbury contains a whopping
• database shows that the ewg's tap water database shows that the water<01:04:55.039><c> Amara</c><01:
• </c><01:40:58.239><c> that's</c> body of water in my district and that's body of water in my district

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• management districts.
• Some water management district.
• They would be special conditions set by the water management district that were not be forgiven as related
• First of all, the water.
• If a water management district refuses to entertain a discussion for an outdated or and not usable property

Transcript Highlights:

• The Outside Kingsland Rural Water Association ending December 31, 2023, Quen Water Association ending
• March 31, 2025, Strong Water and Sewer Fund, December 31, 2023, and Wheelan Springs Water System, December
• And then we have five more: Fulton Water Department, December 31, 2023; McRae Municipal Water and Sewer
• System, December 31, 2024; Montrose Water and Sewer Department, December 31, 2024; and Wilmer Water
• , 2024; Fulton Water Department, December 31, 2024; Mora Water and Sewer Department for December 24,

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• Sponsored by the senator of the 11th district, Senator Musilow.
• We also have Leader Berman's district staff. Leader Berman's district staff.
• We also have Leader Berman's district staff.
• It's a huge district because Palm Beach County, believe it or not, is a very large district.
• in my Senate district.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that state land in The Boundary Waters that state land in The Boundary Waters the<00:05:03.520><
• </c> with respect to the Boundary Waters with respect to the Boundary Waters lands<00:09:45.120><c> as
• </c><00:21:18.880><c> and</c> our schools here within the district and our schools here within the district
• lived in The Boundary Waters uh almost lived in The Boundary Waters uh for<00:29:20.320><c> lck</c><00
• <00:35:23.560><c> is</c><00:35:23.800><c> that</c> Waters is that Waters is that $325<00:35:25.560><c

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• > the</c><00:39:05.359><c> central</c> The district court for the central The district court for the
• on other federal district courts.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Waters Evans of Charlotte? &gt;&gt; Waters Evans of Charlotte? &gt;&gt; No.
• </c> permit for municipal water connections. permit for municipal water connections.
• </c> system and portable water supply rules. system and portable water supply rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• safe and reliable drinking water.
• This rule does two things: it identifies the designated uses of surface waters, like drinking water,
• These standards are the foundation for how DEQ carries out water quality programs under the Clean Water
• water hardness.
• the Clean Water Act.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're not going to be sacrificing air quality, water quality, water quantity, groundwater quality
• Thank you, District Representative.
• And next, I District Representative.
• Faucet snails and water flea species.
• That is an essential water bodies.

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter water and sewer for St.
• grants and clean water grants.
• grants and clean water grants.
• </c> and clean water. and clean water.
• <01:01:53.520><c> water</c><01:01:53.920><c> and</c> drinking water and drinking water and wastewater

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:13.840><c> no</c> Senator mccon yes Senator Waters no Senator mccon yes Senator Waters no
• </c><00:25:12.960><c> yes</c> Senator mcon yes Senator Waters yes Senator mcon yes Senator Waters yes
• </c><01:09:24.359><c> no</c> Senator mccon yes Senator Waters no Senator mccon yes Senator Waters no
• </c><01:21:12.880><c> no</c> Senator makoni yes Senator Waters no Senator makoni yes Senator Waters no
• </c><01:46:41.080><c> 22</c> From District 2 and from District 22, and I understand the passion here

Transcript Highlights:

• usage capacity limits and in in that they've been working with the water management district to increase
• consumption from the water management district.
• Beyond that is the beach and the water.
• CS for SB 824 on inventory of unimproved real property owned by school districts.
• This bill delivers meaningful solutions to improve water quality statewide.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaking of water, this is why we're concerned about this.
• And reliable water funding is a top priority for TechSWIM.
• On water projects, delays are almost inevitable.
• and Senator Kolkhorst's district.
• We will live longer without food and water.

Bills: SB75 , SB715 , SB776 , SB1299 , SB1405 , SB1968 , SB2021 , SB2077 , SB2148 , SB2321 , SB2330 , SB2411

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Member Waters, members of the committee, Joe Fitzgibbon from the 34th Legislative District.
• House Bill 2210 would permit counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, port districts
• My name is Eric Pratt from the 24th District.
• Good afternoon, Chair Waters, myself. Good afternoon, Chair, Ranking Member Waters, myself.
• Good afternoon, Chair, Ranking Member Waters, myself.

Summary: The committee opened with member introductions and then heard House Bill 2123, which would change Washington’s foreign-national certification requirements for election contributions and political advertising. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would only require certifications for campaigns or sponsors exceeding a $5,500 threshold, with an amendment raising that threshold to $6,000, which would largely limit the requirement to ballot measure activity. Prime sponsor Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon said the current paperwork burden makes campaigns harder without solving a real problem, and that his proposal would preserve protections where federal law does not already cover ballot measures. Testifiers supporting the bill, including campaign treasurers, said the certification requirement is burdensome and ineffective; one witness raised concern that a related repeal provision might unintentionally allow foreign participation in state elections, and staff/leadership indicated follow-up would occur. The hearing on HB 2123 was then suspended and later reopened with additional supportive testimony from campaign professionals and others before the committee moved on to other bills. The committee then took up House Bill 2210 on ranked-choice voting for local elections. Staff said the bill would replace the current top-two primary structure with a top-five process for jurisdictions using ranked-choice voting, allow counties and other local governments to adopt the system through 2032, and set ballot, tabulation, rulemaking, and public education requirements; Seattle would be exempt because it is already moving toward ranked-choice voting. Rep. Gregerson, the sponsor, framed the bill as a temporary tool to protect free and fair elections amid federal uncertainty and potential Voting Rights Act changes. Supporters from Fair Vote Washington, the Washington Bus, Sightline Institute, and others argued ranked-choice voting can improve representation, reduce vote splitting, and help young, military, overseas, and underrepresented voters. Opponents, including Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, county auditors, and several citizens, said the system is confusing, costly, harder to audit, and may increase ballot rejection or lower participation, especially among communities of color and voters with limited English proficiency. The committee heard extensive debate but took no final action during the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2411, which expands the state shared leave program to cover employees who are victims of hate crimes or whose absences stem from immigration enforcement actions affecting themselves or family members. Rep. Osman Salahuddin said the bill responds to real cases where state workers faced detention or family separation and could not use shared leave under current law. OFM, the Office of Equity, and the Washington Federation of State Employees supported the bill, describing it as a humane, low-cost way to help employees remain employed during traumatic disruptions. A Republican member asked whether the change would apply to people not legally present or working under a visa; witnesses said they believed it would not, or would be extremely unlikely, and would follow state hiring documentation requirements. The hearing then closed on HB 2411. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2281 on government-to-government consultation with tribes regarding state actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places. Staff said the bill would require mutually agreed consultation processes, timely notice, meaningful consultation before action, and a heightened legal standard requiring the state to show a compelling interest and least restrictive means if it would burden tribal cultural practices; tribes could sue in superior court. Rep. Chris Stearns said the bill is intended to protect Native identity, sacred sites, and religious practices from further loss, while tribal leaders and faith advocates strongly supported it as enforceable protection for sacred places and sovereignty. Some business and industry groups said they supported the goal but worried the bill’s broad definitions and cause of action could create permitting uncertainty, project delays, and significant costs, especially for clean energy and industrial projects. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2206, which would adopt the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; supporters said it would streamline absentee voting for overseas and military voters, while opponents argued it could allow never-residents or duplicate registrations and raised constitutional concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Honorable Diane Garcia, who presides in the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque
• He likes to ski in Taos, the best district in the state.
• water projects from the Water Project Fund without receiving the approval of the Legislature until December
• and the availability of the Flood Control District Act to create local and regional flood control districts
• the availability of the Flood Control District Act to create local and regional flood control districts

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• And they started trucking in water. It was supposed to be a two-year... ...water.
• The floor would be dirtier using the water prior to the water hauling.
• You bought yourself into the water district.
• Provide quality water and affordable water in this community for both the public entities, the federal
• It's actually an example from a water utility.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this case, in this district district district the<00:27:43.640><c> facilities</c><00:27:44.360
• </c> that district. that district.
• </c> these rural water systems have no money. these rural water systems have no money.
• water and waste water bills we drinking water and waste water bills we sent<03:53:40.840><c> over</c
• </c> rural water is in favor of this bill? rural water is in favor of this bill?

Transcript Highlights:

• Same with water submeters. Water submeters are used; that's currently in California law.
• for their own water use.
• tenants used more water or the landlord used a lot of water with landscaping.
• Now you're going to pay for water.
• On behalf of the Indian Wells Valley Water District and Searles Valley Minerals, who are both respectfully

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, labor protections, family stability, and legal process. AB 57 would reserve 10% of California Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters, including the NAACP and reparations advocates, said it would address historic housing discrimination and build generational wealth. Opponents argued the bill is an unconstitutional race proxy. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass AB 57 as amended to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting, and the bill was placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would expand and clarify caregiving tools for children whose parents face immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a short-term guardianship option that preserves parental rights. Supporters said the bill would reduce trauma and help families plan for emergencies; one member raised concerns about safeguards for non-family caregivers. The bill passed to Human Services on a do-pass motion and was placed on call. AB 392 would regulate non-consensual sexually explicit online content by requiring age and consent verification before upload, mandating removal after complaint, and creating civil remedies. A survivor of the iCloud hack testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 692 would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or related costs if they leave or are fired; labor groups supported it as a response to “stay-or-pay” traps, while business and industry groups warned it could affect bonuses and voluntary training programs. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1234 on wage theft enforcement, AB 1522 on expedited licensing for certain former federal attorneys and protection for reproductive-health legal work, and AB 394 on stronger protections for transit workers facing assault and harassment. AB 1234 would let the Labor Commissioner enter judgment when employers fail to participate in wage-claim proceedings; supporters emphasized long delays and unpaid wages, while opponents objected to the 30% administrative fee. AB 1522 and AB 394 both drew support and were advanced on do-pass motions, with AB 1522 and AB 1234 placed on call after roll-call votes. The committee also approved a consent calendar of multiple bills and took up additional procedural motions before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, it's real important that the public know that if they have standing water, change that water
• It's important that the public know that if they have standing water, change that water out.
• They're also threats to water.
• NMED going in and seeing if that water that is going to communities that depend upon that water source
• We represent the 47 soil and water conservation districts that make up the state.

Bills: SB66 , SB79 , SB108

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation