Transcript Highlights:

• geothermal energy on non-federal surface geothermal energy on non-federal surface lands<00:28:13.840
• drill process is the process surface drill process is the process surface land<00:32:51.600>
• > with<00:32:52.880> developers land owners use to work with developers land owners use to
• States and property owners would be on the hook.
• States and property owners would be on the hook.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill to address some concerns that have come to the surface on the Mount Simon aquifer.
• I didn't surface any concerns about this proposal from reaching out to our local leaders.
• I didn't surface any concerns about this proposal from reaching out to our local leaders.
• I didn't surface any concerns about this proposal from reaching out to our local leaders.
• downstream, and if not them, there would be future owners who may have the desire to rape the land.

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of our manufacturing sites are located along the Texas coast, um, and rely on surface water.
• Yeah, I mean, there, there are some owners that pay more because of the way that they operate.
• Uh, unlike surface water, which is owned by the state, groundwater is a property right.
• if we believe we can develop new surface water supplies effectively at the scale needed.
• , as surface seawater.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the responsibility of the vehicle owner, the responsibility of the vehicle owner, whether<01:05
• <01:22:41.600> lane we're going to have a surface lane we're going to have a surface lane
• You know some trails surface prep.
• So yeah, so we manage the surface.
• <03:08:20.000> tend<03:08:20.240> to owners, which many large owners tend to owners

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• underground piping that contains fluids that exchange thermal energy from the earth, underground or surface
• <00:01:00.600> water, earth, underground or surface water, earth, underground or surface water
• One of those owners was Darcy Solutions, which does geothermal.
• , energy and data construction owners, energy and data construction owners, Excel<00:08:40.800>
• One of those owners was in the room.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4122, and Representative Halons moved that the bill be laid over for possible inclusion. The committee first adopted the DE3 author’s amendment without objection. Halons explained that the bill, developed through the Thermal Energy Network Deployment Work Group and extensive stakeholder negotiations, would allow public utilities to build thermal energy networks and recover costs, while keeping the projects under Public Utility Commission oversight similar to electric and natural gas services. He noted a small technical correction may still be needed in the cost recovery language. Testimony was uniformly supportive. Aurora Vautrin of 100% Campaign said the bill advances Minnesota’s leadership on thermal energy networks and thanked the authors, work group, labor, and utility partners. Jamie Fitzke of CenterPoint Energy described the company’s planned thermal energy network pilot as part of the 2021 Natural Gas Innovation Act framework, emphasizing that the technology is promising but still new, especially in Minnesota’s extreme cold climate, and that the amended bill reflects substantial compromise and preserves PUC oversight and customer protections. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA supported the bill as a way to create jobs and use existing labor skills from gas, water, and related infrastructure work, while also noting that geothermal cost and drilling challenges remain. Committee members expressed enthusiasm for the proposal and its potential to make Minnesota a leader in thermal energy networks. In closing, Halons said the bill had gone through many iterations and acknowledged the compromise language, but stressed that it is a major step because it explicitly authorizes utilities to build TENS and rate recover, creating a foundation for future utility planning. The bill was then laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have those owner damages for delays clauses like I spoke to earlier, If you have those owner damages
• So surface water fees collected for surface water can't be used to maintain sewer plants or water plants
• They can only be used for maintaining surface water-related assets.
• So those well owners, instead of having to do their own surface water treatment plants or anything like
• The brown or black squiggly line at the top is the land surface.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And today, with the modified surface drives, they are barely any louder.
• surface as it relates to invertebrate communities and fisheries habitats.
• surface as it relates to invertecum communities and fisheries habitats.
• Garrett, I heard not much louder than the other traditional surface drives.
• and past property owners to make sure we do this right.

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on May 21 with a quorum, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, flood control, and transportation-related measures. HB 841 on expropriation procedures was amended to strip most of its substantive language and then deferred. The committee also adopted a technical amendment and reported SCR 54 favorably, which memorializes Congress to fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act to help address invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species. Several wildlife bills were heard and reported favorably. HB 1248 allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer for rehabilitation, and HB 1258 codifies a policy for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so the department does not automatically euthanize animals that can be rehabilitated or released. HCR 5, which allows limited red drum harvest at certain established rodeos under strict guardrails, drew opposition from a fishing guide concerned about impacts to redfish recovery, but the committee still reported it favorably. HB 688 adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish, with support from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and others, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several infrastructure and flood-related measures. HB 595 requires local governments to respond within 30 days to certain road-use permit requests tied to natural resource development, and it was reported favorably after testimony from oil and gas and industry representatives. HB 802 creates a watershed restoration and conservation fund, narrowed to the Amite River Basin, and was reported favorably with support from conservation and levee interests. SCR 59, urging Congress to ensure FEMA lowers flood insurance rates once the Comite Diversion Canal project reaches 50% completion, was amended and reported favorably, and HCR 62, asking FEMA to review Louisiana flood maps every five years, was also reported favorably. The committee deferred HB 1171, which would have authorized airboats in the Maripaw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, after extensive testimony from supporters and from LDWF officials who raised concerns about habitat sensitivity, migratory birds, user conflicts, and deed restrictions. Finally, HB 1161, transferring certain state property in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes to local governments, HCR 78 supporting the American Seafood Competitive Act, HCR 86 supporting a migratory waterfowl study, and HB 1189 requiring charter boat guides on certain waters to hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses were all reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• They kind of layer as they get exposed at the surface.
• water or the cost related to the surface water.
• Then the surface estate owner didn't look at the deed restrictions very closely and then was shocked
• So technically it's not surface water.
• So it's not exactly surface water.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The transmission owner can concerns.
• having to prove the transmission owners having to prove the transmission owners having<00:50:57.200
• a surface water. a surface water. uh<02:42:13.760> our<02:42:14.000> rules<02:42:14.319
• The utility, the owner-operator, may develop a method for the owner to inform the utility of the wattage
• , especially legacy land property owners, especially legacy land owners<02:59:26.800> that<02:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• local units of government uh land owners local units of government uh and<00:21:07.080> other
• People like maps and pictures, and I think this illustrates how we go about things for surface waters
• <00:31:54.679> to opportunity to work with land owners to opportunity to work with land owners
• There are interconnections between groundwater and surface water.
• as a water quality thing for for surface as a water quality thing for for surface water<01:23:55.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is House Bill 722, which is an act relating to authorizing municipalities to regulate the surface
• municipalities to regulate the surface municipalities to regulate the surface water<00:07:28.240
• Uh, they're business owners in Chittenden and Laoyal counties and they homeschool their two daughters
• Uh they're<00:10:11.200> business<00:10:11.440> owners<00:10:11.760> in<00:10:12.000
• > Chittenden they're business owners in Chittenden they're business owners in Chittenden and<00

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional led by Rep. Anne Donahue and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into first readings of 10 House bills. The bills covered building energy standards and a residential building code (H.717), building energy efficiency (H.718), hospital collaboration and state action immunity (H.719), cloud computing/public utility issues (H.720), juvenile proceedings and forensic facilities (H.721), municipal regulation of surface water use for drinking water supplies (H.722), posting of land (H.723), involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances (H.724), the State Labor Relations Act (H.725), and flexible working arrangements (H.726). Each was read the first time and referred to the appropriate committee; H.648, affecting state revenue through banking, insurance, and securities, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. On the action calendar, the House took up and passed H.84, allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent, and H.534, relating to community action agencies. Both bills were read a third time and approved by voice vote, with the chair announcing that the ayes appeared to have it. The chamber then completed its orders of the day. Several announcements followed, including guest introductions, caucus meetings, an ice cream social, and notice of a press conference on immigration protections. The chair also reminded members to return later in the day for the joint assembly to hear the governor’s budget address. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the use of a BCD, a buoyancy control device—simple tools that allow a diver to quickly rise to the surface
• You pull a cord like a life jacket, and it brings you to the surface.
• When he didn't surface, the supervisor searched the area, but Joseph wasn't there.
• Brady didn't surface for 30 minutes.
• LLC where the owner would otherwise be exempt if they were selling as an individual.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ed, I see you registered as president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association
• Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association testifying in support of House Bill 1647.
• He's not just related to the bill owner, but he was speaking my San Antonio Military City USA language
• About the same temperature as the surface of the Sun.
• President of the Texas Independent. and the Producers and Royalty Owners Association, T-Pro.

Bills: HB1647, HB2612, HB3125, HB3158, HB3240, HB3506, HB3516, HB3707

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members are also landowners and surface owners and and mineral owners, and we represent the wide
• The guy claiming it, the guy that we thought was the owner or the guy is now claiming to be the owner
• Yeah, I gave a speech in San Antonio to some royalty interest owners.
• Sey, on behalf of the National Association of Royalty Owners, Texas.
• owner, I might stop my title research at determining who the current day executive rights owner is,

Bills: HCR32, HB493, HB679, HB745, HB896, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1159, HB1172, HB1173, HB1207, HB1208, HB1218

Keywords: Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, expropriation, property rights, Amite River Basin, drainage, East Feliciana Parish, St. Helena Parish, government authority, traumatic brain injury, identification card, law enforcement training, medical verification, disability rights, special permits, transportation, tandem loads

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and considered a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. It reported favorably House Bill 745, extending special permits for tandem loads hauling containers to and from port facilities; House Bill 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; and House Bill 1050, which clarifies commercial driver’s license rules, including age and intrastate/interstate driving limits. The committee also approved House Bill 1172 naming a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Oberlin the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway, House Bill 1218 naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 1090 the Lewis Pat Miramon Memorial Highway, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and House Bill 1207 on public contracting standards and competition in public bidding. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 896, which responds to tolling issues at the Belle Chasse bridge project. The bill would require toll signage, local toll customer service centers, dispute procedures, and limits on administrative fees, with amendments addressing effective dates, in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, law-enforcement exemptions, and limits on certain charges. The author and witnesses described high administrative fees, long travel distances to customer service locations, and problems with toll bills, while committee members noted the issue was complex and ongoing. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1159, allowing Jefferson Parish municipalities to use automated speed enforcement devices again under local control. Supporters from Gretna, Westwego, Harahan, and Kenner said photo enforcement reduced crashes, improved safety, and helped limited police resources, while opponents were not emphasized in the transcript. After discussion about whether the measure should be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred, the committee ultimately deferred the bill. House Bill 493, which would prohibit expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony about reservoir fears and local opposition; the committee voluntarily deferred it. House Bill 679, as substituted, created a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and required related law-enforcement training; witnesses described personal experiences with brain injury and the need for officers to recognize communication and behavioral effects, and the committee reported the substitute favorably. House Bill 1173, which waives late fees for certain reinstatement-relief payment plans for driver’s licenses, was also reported favorably, and House Bill 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party prestige plate was approved as well.

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Bills: SB174, SB39, SB40, SB206, SB200, HB169, HB345, HB381, HB25

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Bills: SJR 36, SJR 2, SB 4, SR 45, SR 47, SR 63, SR 66, SR 70, SR 85, SCR 14, SB 10, SB 11, SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Bills: SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SR45, SR47, SR63, SR66, SR70, SR85, SCR14, SB10, SB11, SB10, SB11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Bills: SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SR45, SR47, SR63, SR66, SR70, SR85, SCR14, SB10, SB11, SB10, SB11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means