Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Water Code'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 15th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • women to the Texas Capitol.
  • Members, this bill is a biennial update to the Texas Business Organizations Code that the Legislature
  • That's in the Texas Administrative Code. We also have statewide spacing rules. 467 feet?
  • Texas Broadband Office and aligning Texas statute with federal rules.
  • I'm familiar with Texas cases.” “Okay. Which Texas case are you familiar with?”
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce May 11th, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • My concerns are that we don't end up like Texas.
  • My concerns are that we don't end up like Texas, and I have a lot of real estate in Texas, and I do a
  • lot of things in Texas.
  • I'll tell you, working with the Texas commissioners, part of the challenge in Texas is that ERCOT doesn't
  • So sewer and water board New Orleans is a public utility for water, and that would not go to the Public
Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements. The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers. Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • One discusses the Texas Energy Fund.
  • Item four: The Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund.
  • utility rates in Texas are just and reasonable.
  • This is for rate paying for both electric and water.
  • While fantastic for access to care in Texas...
Bills: SB1, SB 1
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Feb 14th, 2026 at 09:07 am

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, the Office of the State Engineer is enforcing the water code using penalties written in 1907
  • water rights from another farmer that does have a viable water right.
  • water rights are at.
  • code.
  • As long as I'm within the water right, the volume of water. Is that right?
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/1/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • systems to protect water quality and preserve the natural beauty of Adnis Lake, the drinking water source
  • systems to protect water quality and preserve the natural beauty of Adnis Lake, the drinking water source
  • systems to protect water quality and preserve the natural beauty of Adnis Lake, the drinking water source
  • systems to protect water quality and preserve the natural beauty of Adnis Lake, the drinking water source
  • <00:47:34.319> and a very steep street in Still Water and a very steep street in Still Water
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session May 8th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As written, though, the bill's language conflicts with jury instructions required by the Texas Code of
  • And in the Texas Finance Code, we already have a standard formula for judgment interest rates set at
  • Seeding control of Texas' land, crops, energy deposits, rare earth materials, and water to our adversaries
  • I want Texas to be able to take care of Texas. Okay.
  • I want Texas to be able to take care of Texas. Okay.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Jul 7th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • water quality and watersheds.
  • Water systems, both surface water and that water infiltrating down into our groundwater, will see significantly
  • regarding the Texas v.
  • in addition to drinking water projects and water storage projects.
  • Gallup water pipeline.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Energy - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 4:15 PM

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • we're getting water districts to that. we're getting water districts to that.
  • <00:10:01.120> system utility I'm sorry adding water system utility I'm sorry adding water
  • Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee.<00:14:04.399> It'll
  • also be a capacity study the water also be a capacity study the water capacity<00:14:32.240>
  • of the water capacity study of the water associations. associations. associations.
Summary: The committee took up several energy, utility, and infrastructure bills. Bill 2527 on solar decommissioning was presented as a landowner consumer-protection measure that would set statewide baseline requirements for solar lease agreements, preserve some freedom of contract, preempt duplicative local rules, and protect landowners from reclamation costs; after no questions, it was moved and passed. The committee also discussed changes to the Gulf Coast Regional Utility Act in HB 2058 and HB 2309, including new first-right-of-refusal language, prohibitions on unauthorized service, civil penalties and enforcement tools, and legislative intent language aimed at preventing duplication and protecting public investment; both were adopted as committee substitutes and passed. HB 2018 was amended to extend similar oversight to water systems, and it was reported after questions about the scope of the change. Several bills focused on water and wastewater oversight. SB 2311 and SB 2312 would create statewide A-to-F grading systems for drinking water and wastewater systems, require annual public reporting, and direct the health and environmental agencies to adopt objective scoring rules; both were passed. SB 2526 would create a Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee, require rate studies, capacity studies, and asset management plans for water associations, and provide staffing and funding support from existing revolving-fund resources; it was adopted as a committee substitute and reported, with supporters saying it would help identify and assist troubled associations. The committee also heard a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority, allowing a lease of city system assets, special revenue bonds to refinance legacy debt, and supplemental revenue sources such as sanitation fees and possibly sales tax revenues; the sponsor said no general fund money would be used, and the bill was reported. The committee also advanced HB 2641, which was stripped down to a study committee on wind turbine facilities, grandfathered existing projects, and imposed a moratorium on new construction until the study is completed; members asked about existing projects and were told current projects under construction would not be penalized, and the committee substitute passed. SB 2783 would make targeted definition changes to BEAD-related broadband grant programs so remaining federal funds could support other state initiatives, including AI workforce training, and it was reported after questions about future federal guidance. Finally, HB 2787 would add propane to the school gas-leak testing statute; the sponsor said the inspections would not require additional state funding because propane dealers and the State Fire Marshal’s office already handle the checks, and the bill passed.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I rise today to recognize the North Texas Municipal Water District as it celebrates its 75th
  • growth of North Texas.
  • Today, the North Texas Municipal Water District provides not only drinking water, but also wastewater
  • On On behalf of the people of Texas' 3rd Congressional District, I congratulate the North Texas Municipal
  • of Fort... ...Texas Ranger and retired sheriff of Fort Ben County, Texas, who passed away on March 5
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, January 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:13.440> I of the title 3 United States code I of the title 3 United States code I hereby
  • from Texas Mr Jackson gentleman<01:08:05.000> from<01:08:05.160> Texas<01:08:05.480>
  • <06:04:15.558> cascading fulam dam and you had water cascading fulam dam and you had water
  • punish you if you use too much water punish you if you use too much water when<06:05:00.958>
  • artificial scarcity on its water artificial scarcity on its water supply<06:05:47.440> at
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 24th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • and heating water. systems.
  • Writer 80 creates a new Texas.
  • That is one of the core Texas values that we all hold. That is one of the core Texas.
  • Roughly 30% of Texas AIM is operating in this area. 30 different clubs across Texas.
  • So, the Texas...
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Mar 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 13 by King relating to the creating of the Texas Insurability Council and the grant program administered
  • 14 by Harrison Harris relating to the funding and mechanisms of the Office of the Governor and the Texas
  • HB 16 by Harris relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under
  • the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board referred to the Committee on Natural.
  • Water Fund, refer to the Committee on Natural Resources.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Regulated Industries Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so Texas found themselves in the same position. And they passed this bill.
  • And so Texas found themselves in the same position. And they passed this bill.
  • In regard to Florida's public utility code, the bill creates...
  • Our design for water will not depend on water evaporation.
  • We do not plan to use cooling towers or other water-intensive cooling systems.
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 13 by King relating to the creating of the Texas interability council in the grant program in ministry
  • of the Texas water development board referred the committee on natural resources.
  • A silver billion for the state to hold in the Texas billion dispository.
  • HB 1147 by Gomez relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce.
  • Water Fund, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, HJR76, by DeRazio.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's in numerous states, including Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, and Utah.
  • Hinman. ...the products in states like Texas that was referred to by Mr.
  • Are we going to blow up the city's plans for sewer and water?
  • , and fire codes.
  • , and fire codes.
Summary: The Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and first considered the reappointment of Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board. Campbell described his nearly 10 years of service, his role as chair since 2019, and his focus on fairness, public safety, and applying the law consistently. He answered questions about the board’s workload and authority, noting it handles roughly 40 to 50 cases a year and does not issue fines. With no public testimony, the committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard and passed SB 1478, a liquor omnibus bill making technical and policy updates to liquor statutes, including changing “manufacture” to “produce,” allowing rather than requiring cities and towns to levy certain liquor-related taxes or fees, repealing a federal food-safety preemption reference, and clarifying cider’s definition to include products up to 8.5% alcohol by volume. Supporters described it as an annual stakeholder-driven cleanup bill, and the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control testified neutral. The committee adopted the Bolick amendment and then passed the bill as amended. It also passed SB 1108, which creates a Swedish-rounding framework for cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with signage and enforcement provisions; the Leach amendment removed an individual-item exemption and clarified tax treatment. The Greater Phoenix Chamber supported the bill, and the committee passed it as amended. The committee next approved SB 1205, regulating private-property vehicle booting by prohibiting local bans, setting signage, written permission, rate limits, release rules, and misdemeanor penalties. Supporters said it would provide a more transparent, less costly alternative to towing, while members raised concerns about signage, appeals, and consumer protections. The Bolick amendment made a technical change, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1241, allowing private permitting providers to conduct plan reviews and inspections for single-trade residential projects, drew the most debate: supporters argued it would reduce delays and costs for homeowners and help cities with backlogs, while cities and counties warned about public-safety risks, loss of local control, and liability concerns. After adopting the Payne amendment on immunity, the committee passed the bill 5-2. Finally, the committee passed SB 1366, which creates a Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee to review fees, standards, insurance, background checks, and related DPS and public-property towing practices. Some members objected that the study committee lacked minority-leader appointments, but supporters said the review was needed before making permanent changes. The committee then began hearing SB 1431, a housing-design bill limiting municipal design standards and restrictions on certain shared features, but the transcript ends before any action on that measure.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Finance (Part I) Feb 13th, 2025

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Item 4, the Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund...
  • utility rates in Texas are just and reasonable.
  • utility rates in Texas are just and reasonable.
  • We have done what we have done for the state of Texas.
  • I mean, who doesn't want to live in Texas? Come on.
Bills: SB1
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 31, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Speaker pro tempore: The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
  • REMOVING OUR NAVAJO CODE TALK YOURS WHO HELPED US DEFEAT JAPAN.
  • It displaced my constituents and left the town basically under water.
  • IT DISPLACED MY CONSTITUENTS AND LEFT THE TOWN BASICALLY UNDER WATER.
  • OF JANUARY 3, 2025, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM TEXAS, MS.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Mar 6th, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to thank all 250 game wardens serving all 254 Texas counties in our state waters. and 150 state
  • in Texas.
  • Investment Council, the Texas Music Office and Texas Film Commission, and Travel Texas.
  • Texas.
  • Texas, it's really a Texas issue. Sure, of course.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Apr 28th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Investment groups are wanting to buy water out of Toledo Bend and ship it to Texas, pump it to Texas.
  • So if they entered into some of these endeavors to sell the water to Texas, you know, they mostly claim
  • So if they entered into some of these endeavors to sell the water to Texas, you know, they mostly claim
  • Corpus Christi, Texas, we think it may have 90 days of water left. They fell in love with SpaceX.
  • Texas SRA, well, Sabine River Authority, sales there, Well, Sabine River Authority sells their same water
Keywords: 965, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House & Governmental May 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So somebody from Texas, say, couldn't come and trot in with an ID from Texas and say that they live here
  • in and out of the voting booth with a Texas license plate on their car.
  • Texas license is not good. It's not on the list, right?
  • The 2007 election code had 298 pages in it.” “This year we have 419.
  • So you need that for water, sewer, lots of things. A lot of stuff. Okay.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 319, which would tighten and standardize voter identification rules at polling places. Senator Presley and Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the bill replaces the current “generally recognized” photo ID standard with a specific list of acceptable IDs, removes the affidavit-only option, and allows voters without a photo ID to cast a conditional paper ballot at the registrar of voters office or during early voting if they later provide approved documentation within two days after the election. Supporters argued the bill improves consistency, election integrity, and poll-worker guidance while still preserving access through alternative documents and free state IDs; opponents warned it could create confusion and burden seniors, students, homeless voters, and others without easy access to the required documents. After debate, the committee reported SB 319 favorably by a 7-2 vote. The committee then approved Senate Bill 202, which adds one day of compensated meeting time for parish boards of election supervisors in certain elections, and Senate Bill 25, which revises the compensation schedule for registrars of voters and related staff. SB 25 was amended to remove outdated step references and make conforming technical changes, and supporters said the pay structure has not been updated since 2007 despite increased duties and workload. The committee also adopted and reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, creating a legislative study committee on water quality in the Chafalalaya Basin, and House Concurrent Resolution 85, creating a task force on illegal dumping, both with technical amendments. In addition, the committee advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are prepared during session, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, which creates a work-based learning coordination task force to improve alignment among education, workforce, and employer partners. SCR 33 was amended to change the appointing authority for two members. The committee also approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and House Resolution 196, which creates a study committee on the impact of fallen trees on residential property and insurance issues. Several of these measures were supported by agency representatives or outside groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments where needed before reporting the bills and resolutions favorably.